Jonathan Mangano The Plumber: He Never Imagined Palm Coast Being His Forever Home

Palm Coast Local Ninth Business Insider Features Jonathan Mangano. A fairly new Palm Coast resident who has already made a niche for himself based on drive and detemination. Read about Jon and Mangano Plumbing.

Jonathan Mangano didn’t set out to build a plumbing empire. In fact, while his high school friends were heading off to college, he stayed behind in Long Island, New York, taking a job as an entry-level plumber. He wasn’t interested in a white-collar life. For Jonathan, it was never about sitting behind a desk—it was about doing something real, something hands-on.

But he was still curious, as young men are.

Jonathan had always been intrigued by the law. With a growing interest in NYPD law enforcement and the justice system, he signed up for Criminal Justice Law Courses. He thought maybe there was a different path, one where he could make a difference without being tied to a 9-to-5 office life. It didn’t take long, though, for him to realize the numbers didn’t add up. He was already earning good money doing plumbing work, and deep down, he knew he enjoyed the work. It made more sense to lean into that.

“It’s not a glamorous job,” Jonathan says, “but it’s one you can build a lifetime career with and support a family on."

So he did just that. Jonathan earned his Master Plumbing license and went on to open his own plumbing company back in Long Island. Over the next 10 years, his business thrived, not just from plumbing alone, but by expanding into septic services and handyman work as well. He built a solid reputation based on trust, reliability, and his no-nonsense approach to quality work. When Palm Coast Local asked him what the most challenging part of being a plumber was, he didn’t hesitate: “The balance between customer expectations and industry standards,” he said. “Early on, I had to learn the difference between being cheap and being good—and you can’t be both.” That lesson shaped the way he ran his business, always choosing quality, even when it meant having harder conversations.

But after a decade of success, he started to feel like there was something more out there and not just professionally, but personally. He was missing out on life feeling as he was running a daily rat race with the grind of New York Life. So, he made a bold move, one not many would have the courage to do.

He sold his business, packed up, and headed to South Florida.

Down south, he joined a franchise plumbing company, which gave him more freedom and flexibility while he worked toward his Florida State Plumbing License. And during that time, he made regular trips to visit his sister in Palm Coast. It didn’t take long for the place to get under his skin—in the best way.

Palm Coast didn’t win him over with flash or excitement of the high life. No, it was the stillness, the serinity of community, and the slower pace of life that made it feel like home. In July of 2023, Jonathan made it official, settling down in Palm Coast with his four children: one son and three daughters, now ages 12, 13, 14, and 19. For him, it wasn’t just a move—it was the beginning of a new chapter, rooted in family, peace, and purpose.

He made the move official and became a full-time Palm Coast resident. These days, he’s enjoying life with his kids, doing work he’s proud of when the community calls, and living life on his terms.

When someone local asked him what he likes to do in his downtime, Jonathan doesn't miss a beat and he'll tell you,

“I like to tinker on my bikes,” he said with a smile in his voice.

And he means it. He’s got a lineup any motorcycle enthusiast would appreciate: a 1941 Harley-Davidson WLD, a 1962 Duo Glide, a 2002 Road Wide, and his 2022 Street Glide. Each one tells a story. On weekends or downtime, he'll be riding the backroads, heading toward a nearby rodeo, enjoying the wind, the road, and the simple feeling of freedom.

There’s something about the open road and the energy of a small-town that reminds him of who he is. It keeps him grounded.

When he’s not on his bike, he’s making the most of Palm Coast life around town visiting The European Village Farmer's Market, enjoying the ocean breeze and good food at The Funky Pelican, or casting a line at Matanzas Inlet. It’s not a flashy life, but it’s full, real, and rooted in everything he values most including his 2 dogs Bella Trix and Lola.

Jonathan Mangano may not be chasing an empire, but he’s built something better: A life of purpose, family, community, and the open road.

"I'm proud of what I do and my customers understand the value of skill I bring. I may be a new resident and business here in Palm Coast but I'm here to stay. This is home!.”

You can find Mangano Plumbing Services business listing along with offers and promotions for local homeowners and commercial businesses for Palm Coast and Flagler County. If you know Jon, give him a shoutout in the comments below to support him or just say hello.

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